Getting Babies Used to Water
Hold your child under the armpits, thumbs on the chest and fingers on the shoulder blades. Sway them slowly three times from left to right, then walk 5 meters backward — maintaining eye contact — and 5 meters forward again. Radiate positive energy throughout to make this first experience of water resistance reassuring.
Preparatory exercises
.webp)
Under the shower
Hold your child in the armpit grip (just like in the core exercise). Maintain eye contact and make a few funny faces and sounds. Occasionally, try a gentle nose boop. You know best what brings joy to your child. Through this playful interaction, the goal is to help your child feel comfortable in the water and even enjoy this new environment.
Bubbling
Hold your child in the armpit grip as in the core exercise. After silly faces and a positive reaction to a nose boop, blow into the water to create bubbles — first near yourself, then closer to the child, always observing their reaction. If they enjoy it, you can even blow bubbles on the child's belly. The goal is playful interaction that makes the child feel comfortable in the water.
Nose boop
Hold your child in the armpit grip (just like in the core exercise). Make some funny faces and sounds while maintaining eye contact at all times. Occasionally, try a gentle nose boop. You know best what makes your child happy. This playful interaction aims to help the child feel comfortable in the water and even enjoy being in this new environment.
On the mat next to the pool
Place a soft swim mat — available to borrow in most indoor pools — at the pool edge and sit your child on it. Play with them for a few minutes while you stand in the water, conveying joy and well-being, and occasionally splash a little water onto the mat and the child. This helps the child get used to the unfamiliar indoor-pool environment.
Entering the water
Hold your child against your chest so they can look over your shoulder, supporting the head with your hand. Carry the child slightly to one side — preferably the heart side, where they feel the heartbeat — so your other hand can hold the railing. Slowly descend the steps until the water reaches the child's chest. Particularly suitable for children up to 6 months who enjoy close skin contact.
Common mistakes
Grip too close to the armpits
Make sure not to hold your child too close to the armpits, as this can reduce blood flow to the arms. The grip should sit gently just below the armpits, staying loose and comfortable. Also, regularly check your child’s skin. If it appears significantly paler than usual, it’s a sign to end the swimming session to prevent hypothermia.
